If you have read the story of Pancho and Lefty, you are aware of what a great team of professionals we feel so blessed to have handling our horses. The twins would not be such strong, healthy, vital foals today if it wasn't for the significant contributions that each has brought to the table. Truly, I couldn't have successfully managed such a hugh task as raising orphan twins without the talents, advice, and support of each and every team member. This page focuses on our trainer and farrier; however, other pages on our site will introduce you to other people very dear to us who also play important roles in this twin adventure!

German Baca
Having been in the training business for over twenty years, I'm a bit of a "trainer snob." I know when it's the real deal or just smoke and mirrors. The moment I met German and saw the rapport he has with the horses, I knew he was the trainer for us. Watching him interract with a horse is like watching the earlier generations of my family, who were some of the finest horsemen I have ever met. Ten years later, I couldn't be happier that my twins are in his hands. No matter what discipline the horse is training for, German's foundation is the same: begin with good conformation, add good solid horsemanship to build a well balanced horse, maintain mutual respect between him and the horse, and no trying to force a round peg into a square hole. It is our belief that from this foundation, you and your horse can successfully go anywhere. Without it, you're sunk. He is also a "walking history encyclopedia" and can explain the history of the breeds, what they were originally bred for, how they developed into what we see today, and in a global sense how we got right here to this moment with them. It is this understanding that puts a very special component into the German training mix. It's better than icing on a cupcake! I am confident that under his tutelage, the twins will become all they can be and will be honorable representatives of the breed.

Darby Holden
They say everything happens for a reason and boy-oh-boy did I luck out when I ran into Darby at the grocery store, of all places! I was looking for a new farrier and she was recently moved here from the east coast. My brother had been taking care of my horses' feet for years and after he moved out of state, I was having trouble finding someone who could even trim a level foot. The world is full of shoers but Darby is a farrier in every sense of the word, as well as being a horsewoman herself. She not only completed her own education, she expanded her studies under a Master Farrier before coming to the west coast. She brings not only skill, compassion, and a deep understanding of anatomy, physiology, and mechanics to the table, but a helathy dose of common sense, too. She designed, fabricated, and applied the little custom baby shoes for Pancho and is single-handedly responsible for giving Lefty a whole new front end. She met with the vets, reviewed x-rays, and even made multiple visits to the hospital before the boys were even released to come home. Her treatment methods are slow and conservative, which is undoubtedly why the twins are straight and sound.  Without Darby's skill and dedication, I would not have such correct colts. Check out the Twin Update page archives to see "before and after" photos of her work. Learn more about her at her website where you will find her contact information: www.darbydholden.com.

They say it takes a village to raise a child. If that is the case, these two people are a vital part of the Cross K village. We could never have gotten this far without either of them.